Keralink International

KeraLink International

Founded in 1962, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization now known as KeraLink International (f/k/a Tissue Banks International) set the standard for addressing corneal blindness. In the U.S., due to the work of KeraLink and similar organizations, untreated corneal blindness has essentially been eliminated, with about 50,000 needed transplants being performed each year. Outside the U.S. the situation is drastically different.

There are currently an estimated 10+ million people living with corneal blindness, most of whom could be successfully treated it treatment were available in the places they live. 98% of those affected live in low and middle income countries (“LMICs”). KeraLink is now exclusively focused on addressing corneal disease and blindness in LMICs, where the need is most acute. While human tissue use will remain the standard of treatment for some years to come, KeraLink will use its resources to explore new techniques, technologies and financing innovations to tackle corneal blindness and disease in new and scalable ways.

Over the next five years, KeraLink International will execute a strategic plan to restore sight to 50,000 people suffering from corneal blindness who do not currently have access to corneal transplantation. This is just the first step in taking the big leap to restore sight to more than 10 million people suffering from corneal blindness worldwide. KeraLink seeks to eliminate corneal blindness globally by exploring all means including present prevention and treatment methodologies as well as new technologies and programs.